The makers of the acclaimed Celica and Supra, who have dabbled in the World Rally Championship as well as sports car racing, are now strutting their stuff with the Toyota GT86 coupe.

The result of a joint venture with Subaru, the GT86 is a classic coupe with a punchy flat-four Subaru engine up front, pushing drive to the back wheels.

Toyota’s motor sport heritage shows in the GT86, even down to the hollowed-out back of the interior mirror, which saves grammes and indicates the lightweight drive behind the new sportster. In fact, the use of special steels and clever design makes this a modern take on a classic sports car that an enthusiastic driver can enjoy.

The very shape of the engine, which is similar to the famous Porsches of old, gives strong torque or pulling power of 151lb/ft at 6400rpm and pushes out close to 200bhp at a huge 7000rpm.

The figures for acceleration and top speed are admirable, but it’s the way the GT86 accelerates mid-range that really impresses, with a deep roar before it catapults past slower vehicles.

The GT86 steers with immense precision and with good feedback at speed, while its urban character is revealed as having a compact turning circle and there is never any vibration or kick-back. The close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox – an automatic is another £1500 – has a smooth clutch and flick of the wrist action and precision as you move through the gate.

Underfoot, the brakes need only a modest but progressive touch to bring about a delightfully controlled and quick stop from high speed. There is also a decent big handbrake to grab.

The front struts and rear wishbones endow the GT86 with excellent handling, helped by its low centre of gravity, and it puts down the power very easily and safely on any surface.

At the same time, the near ideal weight balance front to rear makes it a joy to rush through open-view corners.

And in tighter turns, it will slightly oversteer, but in a beautifully controlled way that a driver can control without drama.

Visibility is not brilliant behind, but it is fine to side and front, with bright headlights and good wipers.

Noise levels are generally low until you hit the throttle.

You have a civilised sportster in the Toyota GT86 – even your gran would love it.